This book has everything and more all rolled into it…. Sci-fi/Dystopian/YA… blended families, trapped in a dome, political agendas, violence, and the list goes on and on… not necessarily my favorite genre but really kept me interested throughout. I will absolutely be talking to our librarian at school to see if this can be added to our library… perfect for 13+ readers!

Xavier just has to make it through this dumb week of "family" vacation before he can get back to his real family of his mom and his brother. He doesn't care that his dad is remarried and his pregnant stepmom is actually kind of nice - he doesn't need them rubbing it in his face how happy they are together without his mom and little brother. Just one week, then back home to normal. Until they all go to bed one night and wake up still in their little cabin... but in an entirely different place. A place that is in fact seemingly made to contain them: a dome. And there's no way out. And no one else around. It's almost like they were put there... but by who and for what purpose?

This is one of those rare books that I struggle to place in a particular genre because it has elements of many: dystopian, sci-fi, speculative, etc. So honestly I guess it would be a combination of all three and I very much enjoyed the whole story and the questions it raised about family and what one will do to survive when unforeseen circumstances arise. There were parts of this book that had me on the edge of my seat and it would make an awesome movie or limited TV series! It's YA that doesn't read like your typical YA and I highly recommend this if you are looking for something a bit out of the ordinary.

Thank you to Netgalley and Scholastic Press for sending the eARC of this book for review consideration - all thoughts and opinions are my own!

This was an interesting sci-fi dystopian story. It definitely made me think about what I might do in the same situation. I felt so badly that Xavier was separated from his mom and brother, all while having no idea what was going on, where they were, or why. It definitely got intense with the addition of the other family! And while the ending might not be what I would have preferred, there was some satisfaction in it. I will definitely have to check out more of this author's work.

4-Star Review: Best of All Worlds by Kenneth Oppel

Kenneth Oppel’s Best of All Worlds is a gripping and thought-provoking dystopian novel that blends environmental crisis, political tension, and ethical complexity. The story opens with a group of people who suddenly find themselves inside a sealed biodome, with no explanation of how they got there or who brought them in. The dome seems designed to preserve life while the outside world suffers environmental collapse—but the real test is how the inhabitants will rebuild society within its walls.

The novel is reminiscent of classic political dystopias, where questions of power, fairness, and survival loom large. As the characters struggle to adapt to their new reality, conflicts quickly arise—not just about how to ration resources or maintain order, but about what kind of society they want to build. The tension deepens when another family unexpectedly joins the dome. This addition challenges the fragile unity, sparking debate and division. I particularly loved the conflict that emerged here—learning to coexist and prioritize the good of the group over personal desires was a strong and meaningful theme.

Oppel skillfully explores the clash between individualism and collective responsibility, creating a compelling narrative full of moral gray areas. The story kept me engaged, and I genuinely enjoyed seeing where the writer was going to take me next. The stakes felt high, not just in terms of survival, but in the choices the characters had to make about what kind of people—and society—they would become.

While the publisher recommends this book for grades 7 and up, I believe it’s more appropriate for high school readers. The level of critical thinking required to fully engage with the themes may be challenging for younger audiences, and high school students are more likely to appreciate the deeper philosophical questions the book raises.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this advance copy. Best of All Worlds is a smart, engaging dystopian novel that offers no easy answers—and that’s exactly what makes it so good.

Best of All Worlds feels like an innovative new scifi idea to me. Oppel uses it to explore a few very human problems and ideas. The family dynamics feel very real and varied. I like a little more positive resolution is nice in teen novels, but in a novel that feels like it's about acceptance, I supposed the ending is fitting.

This was an absolutely gripping dystopian sci-fi novel. This book starts out with Xavier (Zay) and his dad and very pregnant step mom going to visit their cabin for the weekend. They wake up the next day in their cabin, but nothing outside is the same. They've somehow been moved. I was so engrossed in this book all I wanted to do was read it and find out what happened next. Three years living in this new place and suddenly a new family arrives. I love the topics tackled in this book like climate change, conspiracy theories, and even the prison industrial complex. I really enjoyed this book. Thanks to NetGalley and Scholastic for this eARC.

Thanks to NetGalley and Scholastic Press for the ARC!
Kenneth Oppel delivers a suspenseful and layered YA sci-fi that kept me hooked from the very beginning. The clash between two families with starkly different beliefs creates a tense, thought-provoking dynamic that mirrors real-world divisions. The slowburn mystery, the government conspiracy undercurrents, and the emotional journey of two different families, all blend into a gripping narrative that’s hard to put down. Whether you're a sci-fi fan or not, this is an engaging, timely read that lingers long after the last page.

Book Review of Best of All Worlds

Cover Story: Freaky
Drinking Buddy: Just Zay
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (threats of violence, sexuality)
Talky Talk: Dial it Down
Bonus Factors: Escape, Blended Family
Bromance Status: Meh

Cover Story: Freaky
I like the harsh black on red, upside-down images, as well as the one on the back of the family behind bars. But damn, Kenneth, describing your own novel as a ‘masterpiece’? We’ll be the judge of that.

The Deal:
Thirteen-year-old Xavier ‘Zay’ Oaks is forced to spend a weekend off the grid at the family cabin with his father and Nia, his pregnant stepmother. He leaves behind his older brother, mother, and a girl from his D&D group who just might kind of like him.

The next day, they wake up in the same cabin, but now it’s on a farm somewhere. All the tools and equipment city slickers might need to begin living an agricultural lifestyle, including live goats and chickens. The water and electricity still work, but nothing else. And the farm is surrounded by an unbreakable dome. Looks like the Oaks are going to have to go full Green Acres.

Three years later, Zay’s father and Nia are loving this simple lifestyle, as is his new brother Noah. Things the family needs, like toys for Noah, etc, appear out of nowhere, gifts from their unseen captors. They could do this for decades! But Zay, who has never kissed a girl, is banging his head against the dome walls. He’s discovered a hole in the unreachable zenith of the dome, but has no idea how to get to it. He’s going to crack.

And the next day, another house shows up under the dome. With another family. Including Mackenzie, a girl Zay’s age (and her sister, who is Noah’s age). Goodbye loneliness!

Of course, Mackenzie has parents. And her father is convinced that it’s the US government holding them captive, and he’ll do anything to escape. Anything.

Drinking Buddy: Just Zay
Zay was okay. He’s frustrated with his position, as well as with his family, who seem content to live under the dome forever. In a rough scene, his old cell phone dies, causing him to lose all his pictures, his music, and his connections with the past.

Everyone else in this book was obnoxious. His family almost immediately gives up trying to escape. His father assumes they’ve been kidnapped by aliens, and because of that time dilation thing, his older son is probably dead, so no point in Zay trying to get back to him.

The new family is not better. Mackenzie clearly likes Zay, but she wants to stay loyal to her boyfriend back home (the jerk who convinced her to go condomless and gave her a pregnancy scare). The rest of her family are bigots and fools, but also have a workable plan to escape. It was hard for me to decide which faction the author wanted us to side with.

MPAA Rating: PG-13 (threats of violence, sexuality)
So when a sixteen-year-old hasn’t even seen a girl in years, it’s frustrating. And it’s clear whoever is running this has selected Mackenzie to be his mate. Zay’s up for that, but Mackenzie still expects to be released soon.

Meanwhile, her father is slowly going off the rails. He’s half-convinced the Oaks are government plants and grows increasingly paranoid. And Zay’s family just petulantly complains about his attempting to escape rather than enjoying life in The Village.

Talky Talk: Dial it Down
Very unlikeable and unrealistic characters. Noah’s behavior would be considered quite advanced for a six-year-old, and he’s only three, just out of diapers. I don’t care how smart a kid is, a toddler is not going to be generating his own D&D character, even if he misspells ‘dexterity’ in an adorable way.

The whole book was a fight between the intelligent, non-violent Canadians (like the author) and the loutish, racist, hyper-religious Americans. It wouldn’t have been hard to make Mackenzie’s father unlikeable. But they made him a blatant racist (Nia is of Haitian descent), a fundamentalist, a violent former prison guard, a COVID denier, and a guy who believes in the reptoids. Way over the top. And yet, because he’s trying to get the families out, I half-wanted Zay to throw in with him. Meanwhile, we know that Zay’s father has given up on his other son, and cheated on Zay’s mother with Nia, but that’s all kind of glossed over.

Bonus Factor: Escape
Mackenzie’s father has a not unrealistic plan of reaching the hole at the top of the dome. But as he works on it, the captors are obviously not pleased. His power is shut off, spoiling their stored food. Birds arrive, damaging the fruit trees. Zay’s family begs him just to be a happy slave, but he’s determined.

Bonus Factor: Blended Family
Zay’s been simmering for three years against Nia. Why did he come on this trip? Why did he let her convince him to leave his laptop behind? Why did he have to trade his mother and brother for this new family? And yet, when Noah is in danger, Zay will risk everything for him.

Bromance Status: Meh
Interesting concept, unlikeable characters, poor resolution. See you around.

Best Of All Worlds by Kenneth Oppel, when Xavier goes with his very pregnant stepmom Naya and dad to the family lake cabin he isn’t happy that the whole week of his summer will be spent there without his brother. So when he wakes up the next morning only to hear goats bleeding outside and looks out not to see the lake but a barn the pre-mentioned goats and other things that aren’t familiar to the well-known vacation spot. being a big DND fan he is big on figuring out the unknown and mysteries and with the help of his dad and Naya they said a quest to find out one where are they, and two, how they get there? but don’t find much and what they do fine is nearly unexplainable but there they are and there they stay. Nothing changes until three years later after Baby brother Noah is born it seems there’s a new family on the planet. they’re called the Jacksons and their a family of five mom, dad and three daughters. Instantly Xavier who is now sixteen is attracted to teenager Allison. The problem arrives when her dad refuses to stay there and has his own crazy theory as to he’s there. The tension is thick but both families try their best to keep the peace after all each other is all they half and good friends make better neighbors. It’s only when Mr. Jackson begins his plan to leave the bubble in with Xavier‘s feelings for Allison, it makes him a dutiful student helping Mr. Jackson put his plan in motion. Will they get off the planet and find out who put them there or will they die trying. I found this book very entertaining and really liked it I think if there was more of an explanation or even a second book coming I probably would’ve given this five stars. I have also read reviews where people were upset because the gender issue wasn’t discussed but when it’s only a planet of nine people I think your only choice is to survive. not to mention the reviewer had an issue with someone making a passing comment that the four year-olds would have to marry and I mean therefore. The situation the characters were in is very original and to have issue with political things when there isn’t even a government or a political atmosphere to me seems redundant. Either way I really like this book I found it entertaining and those way more than what I put in my review if you like good sci-fi crazy theories that may or may not be true then more than likely you will absolutely enjoy this book. #NetGalley,#TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #KennethOppel,#BestOfAllWorlds,

A low key scfi which leaves rather too many unanswered questions for my taste.

13 year-old Xavier Oak, along with his father and pregnant step mother, is having a weekend at their lakeside cabin. But when they wake up, everything has changed and, they quickly discover, their cabin is now in farmland under a huge dome. In the absence of any possible escape and return to their previous lives, they adapt by learning to be self-sufficient, albeit with assistance from a mysterious source. Three years later, the Jackson family arrives, and while initially the two families are thrilled to have company, and Zay is particularly thrilled to have the company of 16-year old Mackenzie, it soon becomes clear that they are on different sides of the political spectrum and have different ideas about why they are in this situation.

While the novel raises some philosophical questions about freedom versus security, the author is pretty clear about which side he’s on. The Oaks are hippy liberals who are getting on and making a decent and often enjoyable life for themselves, and being rewarded by the mysterious them. The Jacksons, on the other hand, particularly the patriarch Riley, are tinfoil-hat right wing conspiracists who are ready to shoot their way out and are punished by them for attempting that. Zay and Mackenzie are stuck in the middle, torn between both sides while experiencing love and sexual attraction, and for Zay it’s the first time.

We are told a lot about the state of the Earth which seems to be sometime in the near future where climate change has started its inevitable ravaging of the planet and waves of pandemics have rolled out, but we see none of this as we are only ever in the dome.

While the ending does somewhat give an indication of what’s going on, there’s far too much left unanswered, making it all a bit unsatisfactory rather than intriguing.

Thanks to Scholastic and Netgalley for the digital review.

A week in the woods goes terribly off course in Keneth Oppel’s new YA dystopian fiction novel Best of All Worlds.

Xavier Oaks isn’t exactly thrilled about going away for a week with his dad and pregnant stepmom to their cabin in the woods, but what was set to be a rustic getaway from society turns out to be even more isolating than Xavier and his family could have ever imagined. One day they awake to discover that their cabin is now smack dab in the middle of a farm with goats and chickens to tend to boot. Upon further investigation, it appears that they are actually entrapped inside a dome that they can’t escape. But how and why?!

As the Oaks become accustomed to farm living over the next three years, they come to accept their fate, believing that it was space aliens that plucked them up and relocated them, saving them from the growing climate crisis back on Earth. But things take an interesting turn when Xavier, exploring the woods one day, sees another farm being 3-D printed some distance from theirs. Another family is moving in and bringing with them a set of beliefs and customs that is far removed from anything going on over in the Oak household. Say hello to the Jacksons from Tennessee. Will these two very different families clash or band together to survive?

As an avid fan of the Twilight Zone, I loved the premise of Best of All Worlds. This storyline would fit right in with the classic TV series that I enjoy so much. Oppel has created an intriguing novel of survival and suspense, ripe with tension. Who is the real enemy here? The mysterious force that is entrapping them inside the dome, or, according to Xavier’s Canadian parents, the new American family who might just get them all killed? Do they accept their fate and become farmers or fight against their imprisonment?

Best of All Worlds raises some interesting topics perfect for book club discussions and debates, such as is it best to just accept what seems to be an inevitable fate, or should we fight against everything that’s wrong in the world to live the lives we want? Are you one of the Oaks, just happy to be alive and seemingly safe with a food supply and shelter, or are you a Jackson, rallying against an oppressive system to regain control over and return to your former life? In that vein, the Oaks and Jacksons are the perfect stand-ins for their respective home countries, when positing these questions in the broader sense.

However, I really did not enjoy the fact that Oppel uses stereotypes to tell his story. The Jacksons are naturally American southerners with wild ideas about the world, including a slew of (of course) racial and political conspiracy theories, and (God forbid), they even tote guns. The Oaks, a mixed race family, naturally oppose everything the Jacksons are about, creating incredible tension between the two families. Basing the conflict of the book on the families’ belief systems instead of on the actual situation they are in felt cheap to me, and I would have much preferred to have seen some nuance in the characters. Frankly, if we are dealing with the apocalypse or alien abductions, give me the people who have guns and know how to use them over the people who count on everyone remaining orderly and civilized. We cannot even manage that in our everyday lives when it is NOT the end of the world, so the fact that Oppel wrote the Jacksons to appear to be the nutty ones just didn’t track with me.

Also, the world-building and resolution of the story weren’t fleshed out enough for a book that takes us away from the world we know. The characters are aware that they are in a dome, but towards the end of the book when they begin to figures things out, it is not exactly clear to the reader what is going on. I was almost expecting there to be a sequel to this book to clear things up because they are so murky. And I just have to say, if the families were abducted by aliens, what are these aliens playing at putting these two families together?! Are they looking for a little entertainment by way of Civil War, or do they believe that when thrown into a survival situation, people with vastly differing opinions will find a way to band together for the greater good?

Thank you to Scholastic Press and NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Thirteen-year-old Xavier has to spend tome with his dad and new pregnant wife in the family cabin, leaving behind his mom and older brother. He hasn’t always gotten along with Nia but they were only going to be away for a short time so he could deal with it. Or so they thought. They all wake up the next morning to discover that their cabin is no longer in the woods but on a farm! As they explore their new surroundings, they realize that they are in very large dome with no way out! In a panic, Nia goes into labor and the baby has complications. Everyone falls asleep and when they awaken, baby Noah is perfectly healthy. The family learns to farm and raise the livestock they’ve been given for the next three years when Xavier notices another cabin being 3-D printed not far from their cabin. The new family arrives with 2 girls the same age as Xavier and Noah. Coincidence or master plan? Can they leave and go back home?
The fast-paced plot and engaging story kept this reader riveted! The ending was fairly predictable yet satisfying, leaving it open for possible sequels or companions. I would recommend this book for readers 14 and older.
#BestOfAllWorlds #NetGalley

Oppel's newest story asks what would you do if you were plonked down into a mysterious dome with a perfect farm world? How do you deal with not knowing how you got there or what might happen next? And how do other, different, families explain what happened?

The characters and situation are fascinating. Zay tells the story in a straightforward but intelligent way, using D&D as a possible way to explore a way out of the situation. The Jacksons are depicted realistically, even though they are obviously the antagonist family. The ending is sad but also hopeful.

Teens will definitely respond to this story and that cover. Possible Printz.

13-year-old Xavier is on vacation with his dad and step-mom at their lake cabin when things go very wrong. They wake up one morning to find that the cabin is on a farm instead of by a lake. They also all have strange marks on their backs. Somehow, the house and everything in it are exactly the same, but their surroundings are wildly different. No other humans are around, and they seem to be surrounded by an impenetrable dome. How did they get there? Are they safe? How will they survive? While inside the dome, another family arrives under similar circumstances. However, the families have very different backgrounds and philosophies. Can they work together for each other's benefit, or will their differences complicate things further?

Thanks to Scholastic Press and NetGalley for a review copy of Best of All Worlds.

Based on the description, I thought this was a book that I would really love. The summary reminded me of "Under the Dome."" Sadly, that was far from the case. I found this to be very lackluster. It's told completely from Xavier's POV. Normally, that might not be a problem, but it is when the character is as underdeveloped and, frankly, annoying, as Xavier was. The book was also filled with a bunch of stereotypes which I was not expecting and did not enjoy. A number of important topics were attempted, but the execution fizzles out. The women weren't realistic. If this had been written with multiple POVs, it might have been a better, more balanced, story overall.

Best of All Worlds by Kenneth Oppel - wow! I raced through this, had to get to the end. I loved Nest by Kenneth Oppel, so I had high hopes for this. It didn't disappoint. I think this will be big for teens this year.

Thanks to NetGalley and Scholastic Press for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Trigger Warnings provided by Storygraph users: Graphic Confinement, Misogyny, Racism

Moderate Animal death, Gun violence, Blood

Minor Child abuse, Sexual content, Pandemic/Epidemic

I decided to step out of my comfort zone and try this young adult sci-fi story. Best of All Worlds diverges significantly from my usual jam, combining a family in isolation because of an alien abduction. Yet, despite this book being an unusual pick for me, I found it very entertaining.

This sort of speculative fiction was very interesting and entertaining. The book’s core themes of survival and conspiracies was quite a bit different than my usual reading. The experimental speculative fiction that prioritizes high-stakes tension over my usual reads that are character-driven.

The “other family” that arrives three years after Xavier’s family is trapped turns out to be the batty sort of person who believes every conspiracy theory and if I may say, very redneck. Their arrival increases the tension in the book, and creates and even more edge-of-your-seat story that I thoroughly enjoyed.

ARC Review ✨️

♡Impressing writing♡

This story takes sci-fi to a whole new level. Xavier and his blended family are on vacation at the lake. They go to sleep and wake up to find the lake isn't there, and they're trapped in a dome.

This story is highly compelling and really dives into your mindset. I love it when a book sucks you right in, and this was definitely one of those books! There are conflicts, both personal and political, there's intense scenes and emotions and overall a very engaging read.

A huge thank you to the author, Netgalley, and Scholastic for the ARC!

Absolutely delectable. I could not put this book down. This book tells a fresh story from a realistic teenage point of view, and I ate it up. The plot is constructed beautifully. The characters are relatable and well thought out. And the story hits on some of the questions today in society in a graceful and though provoking way. I am a big fan.

As the world hurtles toward the effects of climate change, you have to wonder, what will happen to all of us when the Earth is no longer habitable? Would a benevolent galactic neighbor take pity on us? Would it just be our demise? What if you woke one morning and found your home, exactly as it is, in a brand new world?

Xavier, his dad Caleb, and stepmom Nia, head to the lake to spend a week at their cottage. Zay’s brother Sam stayed home with his mom, but Caleb wanted a week with his 13 year old son before Nia gave birth to a new baby. They get to the cottage late, and head to bed. Zay is first up in the morning, and what he finds isn’t what they left last night.

Their cottage, down to the sandwich wrappings in the trash, has moved. The lake that used to be outside the cabin has been replaced by a barn and goats in a field. GOATS! Zay thinks he’s lost his mind, so he wakes his dad. Sure enough, they aren’t where they should be. They are now in a new place. They’ve got running water and electricity, but no car, and nothing to be seen for miles.

After some exploration, they determine that they are the only place in a roughly six mile diameter dome. No way out. They get to work farming, and make the best of their new life in this place.

Until another family arrives and puts the hope of maybe getting out of the dome into Zay’s head. Can they learn to live peacefully with another family? Or will the differing views of the two families be the end of all of them?

What a thought provoking and amazing novel. You won’t want to put this one down as you watch one family adapt to their new surroundings while the other fights it tooth and nail. All along the questions arise as to how they got there, why they are there, and is there any chance of ever returning to their old lives? Really amazing novel. As with so many books, I want more. I want to know what the future brings for these people.

Loved it.



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